Human Rights and Democratic Citizenship in Education in International Contexts

Session Submission Type: Symposium

Abstract

We explore possibilities in education for human rights and democratic citizenship in both liberal democratic and more authoritarian political contexts across three regions of the globe. Research papers from China, Japan, Kuwait, and UK focus on pedagogy and curriculum; children's rights in school; and students' perspectives on social justice and rights. The symposium begins by conceptualising human rights pedagogy as transformative and a challenge to existing power structures. Following papers illustrate the tensions and contradictions inherent in human rights education (HRE) in different political and cultural contexts, while at the same time addressing learners’ needs; developing a culturally relevant pedagogy; and encouraging critical and radical perspectives. We conclude by drawing theoretical links between HRE in different international contexts.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Democratic Citizenship in Education

Chair

• Walter C. Parker, University of Washington - Seattle

Papers

• Narratives in Teaching and Research for Justice and Human Rights - Audrey Helen Osler, University of Leeds

• Human Rights Education in China: Contrasting Official History and Personal Narrative - Juanjuan Zhu, Utah State University

• Human Rights Education Without a Notion of Rights? An Examination of the Japanese Case - Yuka Kitayama, Nagoya University

• Human Rights and Education for Democratic Citizenship in Kuwait: Uncovering a “Waystation” - Rania Al-Nakib, Gulf University for Science and Technology

• Education for Democratic Citizenship and Human Rights: Realistic Utopianism - Hugh Starkey, Institute of Education - London

Discussant

• Wanda E.M. Cassidy, Simon Fraser University